Paramount has called off tonight's on-the-lot preem of Showtime's "Deacons for Defense," citing the nation's heightened terror alert.
The U.S. remains on orange alert for possible attacks, the second-highest level on a color-coded five-step scale. Increased intelligence pointing to an attack, coupled with the Iraq standoff and the ongoing Muslim holy days, led the Bush administration to raise the level from yellow to orange last week.
"We are not reacting to any specific threats," a Par spokeswoman said Monday, "other than the universal one aimed at the country. We are merely taking precaution and being more selective as to who we let on the lot and why."
At the moment, the "Deacon" cancellation is the only casualty of the most recent bout of terrorist threats. Universal, Fox, Warner Bros., Sony and Disney have not reported any event cancellations.
Showtime said Monday it will not re-sked the preem, since "Deacons" is slated to air on Sunday.
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